24 May 2007 Edition

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Mála Poist

‘An Phoblacht’ welcomes readers’ letters. Letters in Irish or English should be kept short (no more than 200 words) and typed or handwritten clearly, double-spaced and on one side of the paper only. Name and address should be supplied for verification, but these will not be published if we are so requested.
Cuireann ‘An Phoblacht’ fáilte roimh litreacha ónár léitheoirí. Scríobh i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla. Is fearr litreacha gearra (200 focal ar a méid) clóscríofa nó lámhscríofa go soiléir ar thaobh amháin den leathanach. Cuir ainm agus seoladh leis ach ní fhoilseoimid iad seo más é do thoil.

No support for destruction of Irish neutrality

A chara,
The Peace & Neutrality Alliance helped organise a massive demonstration against the war in Iraq and the use of Shannon Airport in that war on 15 February 2003. We believed US and its allies conquered Iraq because they wanted to gain control of the oil and to consolidate US/Israeli military domination of the Middle East. Mr Ahern ignored the protest and decided to ensure Ireland’s participation in the war by allowing over 1 million US troops to use Shannon Airport. Mr Ahern and Mr Blair ensured that for the first time since 1914, all 32 counties of Ireland became actively involved in an imperialist war.
PANA commissioned Lansdowne Market Research to conduct a national poll on the use of Shannon Airport in the war. The results were; 58% were opposed, 19% in favour, and 23% had no opinion/dk. Mr Ahern does not have the support of the people in his decision to destroy Irish neutrality and support this war. PANA welcomes the decision of Mr Blair to resign. He will be remembered in history as a warmonger. His supporter in the Iraq war, Mr Ahern, should be removed from power on election day.
The US has spent over $500 billion on this war resulting in a major drop in the value of the dollar a fact that seriously effects our exports. Therefore apart from the morality of supporting a war in which over 700,000 Iraqi people have died, it could have a major deleterious effect on our economy.
Finally, the media has given massive coverage to Mr Ahern’s house rather than his participation in a horrific war which does not have the support of the Irish people. We have no doubt as this war drags on and on, and as the Irish Army is integrated into the Battle Groups of the EU at a time  the Chancellor of Germany is calling for the creation of a European Army, when we look back at this election, we will wonder at the bizarre sense of values that took hold of Irish journalists in 2007.
Is mise,
Roger Cole,
Chair,
Peace & Neutrality Alliance.

 

Independent hypocrisy

A chara,
The Irish Independent has once again shown its true, deeply partitionist attitude. In the Friday (18 May) issue under the headline “Adams’ role in this election is sinister and deeply unwelcome”, Ciaran Byrne laid out a typically Free State opinion-ridden attack on Adams’ role in the election and his character and ability in general.
Byrne’s main gripe is that Adams is not elected to any office in the 26 Counties and should by this hypothesis take no part in the election campaign. He clearly overlooks the part played by Fianna Fáil in Six Counties politics, which has increased in recent years. This involvement has included providing Fianna Fáil spin doctors and election planners to the SDLP and in the recent Assembly election Brian ‘Spliff Smoking’ Cowan was in Derry campaigning with Mark Durkan.
If Adams’ role is sinister and unwanted what are the actions of Fianna Fáil figures who hold no elected office in the Six Counties. It seems strange that the Indo is advocating that, by their judgement (not mine), outside or foreign political influences should be rejected. It is such a pity they don’t take this approach with regards to Iraq, Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, etc. when the US continually interferes in areas they have no right to do so.
Byrne also attempts to deal with Adams’ TV performance which in his opinion was ‘remarkable for its limpness’. Was he watching the same debate? While Adams has had better performances I personally felt he was good and cleverly directed the debate to areas which he wanted to discuss. The only poor performance was Michael McDowell who could only brag about the strong economy, lambaste the other members of the debate as being ‘the left’ and predictably attack Adams on IRA links, Farc etc. McDowell ended the debate looking like a paranoid throwback to the McCarthy era in the US
Is mise,
Barry Healy,
Newbridge,
Co. Kildare


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